Brake releasing apparatus



BRAKE RELEASING APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1943 Fig I REE.

EMERG.

67 INVENTOR FMLFHT WHITNEY *BY @im ATTORNEY- Patented Feb. 20, 1945 BRAKE RELEASING APPARATUS Ralph T. Whitney, Irwin,

Pa., assignor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, WiPmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application `Iuly 1, 1943, Serial No. 493,016

14 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid pressure brake apparatus of the automatic type and more particularly to means for causing operation of said apparatus to elect a release of the brakes.

When a car equipped with automatic uid pres sure brake apparatus and having the reservoir or reservoirs thereof charged with fluid under pressure is cut out of a train and the brake pipe on the car is Vented the brake controlling valve device will, as a result of such venting, move to emergency position. Movement of the brake controlling valve device to emergency position establishes communication between the reservoir or reservoirs and the brake cylinder device and permits the uid insaid reservoir or reservoirs to equalize into the brake cylinder device to effect an emergency application of the brakes on the car.

When releasing a brake application thus effected; the heretofore practice has been for a trainman to operate the reservoir release valve or valves to completely dissipate the fluid pressure from the reservoir or reservoirs and thereby from the connected brake cylinder device. This operation not only wastes the stored fluid pressure in the reservoir but also requires time on the part of the trainman, since he must hold the reservoir release valve or valves open until the brakes are released. When the car is subsequently placed in a train, it is then necessary to completely recharge the reservoir or reservoirs,v either by a local yard charging plant or by a coupled locomotive, before the train may be moved. This requires a relatively long period of time and consequently excessive use and wear of apparatus to accomplish same, all of which is undesirable.

From the foregoing it will be understood that it is'undesirable to dissipate the stored fluid pressure in the reservoir or reservoirs to eiect a release of the brakes when the car is cut out of a train and the principal object of the invention is to provide novel brake releasing means which will Y overcome this objectional feature.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view partly in section of an AB brake equipment having associated therewith brake release means embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a :fragmentary View showing a modied form of the invention. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing still another form of the invention and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 3, the' cap and diaphragm ofthe device being removed. v

Description Fig. 1

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing the brake equipment comprises a brake controlling valve device l, an auxiliary reservoir 2, an emergency reservoir 3, a brake pipe 4, a brake cylinder 5, a

cut ofi valve device and a pressure release valve device l.

The brake controlling valve device l shown is of the AB type. This controlling valve device may be of substantially the same construction as the AB valve device fully described in the patent to Clyde C. Farmer, No. 2,031,213, issued February 18, 1936, and in view of this it is deemed unnecessary to show and describe the device in detail. It will of course be understood that this mechanism operates upon a service reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid underpressure from the auxiliary reservoir to the brake cylinder to elect a service application of the brakes, upon an emergency reduction in brake pipe pressure to supply fluid under pressure from both the auxiliary and the emergency reservoirs to the brake cylinder to effect an emergency application of the brakes and upon an increase in brake pipe pressure to effect a release of the brakes and the charging of the brake equipment. y

The cut-oli valve device Gmay comprise a two piece casing having clamped therebetween in any suitable manner, a flexible diaphragm lll. At one side of this diaphragm there is a valve chamber H having contained therein a seat rib I2 which surrounds a passage I3. The passage I3 is connected to a pipe I4 leading to the usual AB brake cylinder connection. The valve chamber l l is connected outside the vseat rib l2 to the pressure release valve device 'l by means of a pipe It and to the brake cylinder device 5 by means of a pipe Il. At the opposite side of the diaphragm IIJ there is a control 'chamber I8 which is connected to pipe i4 through a pipe I9. K

Contained in valve chamber I l and surrounding the seat rib l2 is a spring 20 which, at all times, tends to urge the diaphragm l 0 to the position in which it is shown, i. e., out ci enga-gement with the seat rib.

The pressure release valve device l may comprise a casing having a chamber 22 which is in constant open communication with the pipe i6.

-The lower wall of the chamber is provided with an annular valve seat 23 surrounding a passage 24 leading to the atmosphere. Contained in chamber 22 is 'a valve 25 yieldably urged into engagement with valve 4seat 23 by means of a 'spring 26.

The valve 25 is provided with a stem 27 which extends into a chamber Z3 in which there is slidably mounted a plunger29 which is urged downwardly out of engagement with the end of the stem 2l by means of a spring 3l?. Beneath the plunger 29 is a rocking element 3l having an operating arm 32 which extends to the exterior of the casing and which when rocked forces the lunger upwardly rst into engagement with the end of the stem 27 and then, through the medium of the stem, forces the valve 25 upwardly out of engagement with the seat 23.

Operation Assume that the brake equipment is fully charged with fluid under pressure and that the brake controlling valve device I is in its release position. Under these conditions the `pipe I4 and consequently the connectedchambers II and I8 at opposite sides of the diaphragm I arel vented through the usual brake cylinder exhaust; passage in the brake controlling valve device I. With the chambers II and l8'at atmospheric pressure the spring acts to maintain the`diaphragm I0 in the position shown so that the valve chamberV II and connected chamber 22 in the pressure release valve device 1 and the brake cylinder 5 are also connected to the pipe I4 and therebyvented through the brake controlling' valve device.

When it'isLdeslred to effect either av service or anemergency application of the brakes the brake pipe pressure is reducedthus causing the brake controlling valve device I to function in the usual Well'known' manner 'to supply fluid under pressure' to theplpe I4. From pipe I4 fluid under' pressure flows'to' chambers II and I8-in the cut off valve device 6. The flow of fluid under pressurefr'om pipe I4 to 'valve chamber II is by way'of passage I3 andthe flow of fluid under pressure/from pipe I4' to control chamber I8 is by way of pipe I9' through arestriction or choke Itwill be understood'thatl since flow of fluid underpressurefrom the brake controlling valve device I is supplied to both sides of the diaphragm l0 the' spring 20 acts to maintain the diaphragm 'irf the 'position shown.

Fluid under pressure thus supplied to valve chamber' Il flows therefrom by Way of pipe I1 to' the brake cylinder 5toeffect an application of the' brakes inthe usual manner and also flows to chamber 22'in`the pressure release valve devlce 1. Since the pipe lleading from the valve chamber"II to the vrelease valve device 1 may be short and the volume of the chamber 22 in the release valvedevice 1 small, no material change inthe pressure offluid developed in the brake cylinder'5 overthat developed in the equipment not embodying the present, invention, Will result.

When it is desired to effect a release of' the brakes ,following either a service or an emergency application of the brakes the brake pipe pressure isi-increased', thereby causing the brake controlling valve device I to function in the usual manner to release fluid under pressure from the pipe I4. As a result of a reduction in pressure in the pipe I4, pressure in the connected chambers II' and I8 in the cut off valve device ii is releasedthe spring-2B maintains the diaphragm positioned as shoWnJ-andconsequently the fluid un'der Ipressure in the brake cylinder 5 is reduced byway of pipe I1 valvesch'amber II, past seat rib I2 and'pipe'N'thus effecting arelease'of the brakes.

It should here be mentionedthat the 'flow area of-the choke-'35 is such that it will not permit the pressure ofuid inchamber I8 to increase at .a faster rate than the brake cylinder pressure is increasing inchamber` II when an .application of the brakes is being effected, `and Willpermit the reduction in the pressure of fluid in chamber Il at a rate fast enough to prevent the flexing of the diaphragm' I 0 toward its seat I2'.

From' the foregoing it will be understood that the brakes on the vehicle may be applied and released in the usual manner without any interference from the cut oil valve device 6.

If a car provided with the equipment shown and described in Fig. 1 is cut out of a train and the brake pipe 4 is vented, the brake controlling valve device I will operate to cause an emergency application of the brakes in the same manner as above described, it being understood that when an emergency application of the brakes is effected fluid under pressure is supplied to the brakecylinder 5 from both the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs 2 and 3, respectively.

With the brakes on the car thus applied in emergency the brake pipe 4 will be at atmospheric pressure. Now, let it be assumed that it is de sired to release the-fluid under pressure from the brakecylinder 5 for releasing the car brakes, Without recharging the brake'pipe 4 and Without losing the stored fluid under pressure in the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs 2 and 3, respectively.

To accomplish this the brakeman rocks the operating arm 32 of the pressure release valve device 1, thus causing the plunger 29 to move upwardly against theopposing pressure of spring 33 intoengagement with the end of the valve stem 21; Continued rocking movement o the arm 32 caused the plunger 2S to move the valve 25, upwardly against the opposing pressure of springl, out of engagement with its seat 23` thus connecting chamber 22 to the atmospheric passage 24. With this communication established the pressure of fluid in valve chamber II ol the cut offV valve is quickly vented. to the atmosphere by Way of pipe IB, chamber 22 in the pressure release valve device 1; past unseated valve`25 and passage 24.

It should here be noted that the flow of fluid under pressure Vfrom valve chamber II through the circuit just traced is at a relatively unrestricted rate and lmuch faster than the pressure of fluid in control chamber I8 at the opposite side ofthe diaphragm I can be reduced due to the choke 35 in pipe I9. As a result, the higher pressure ofuid acting in control chamber I8 overcomes the opposing pressure of the spring 20 and causes the diaphragm IU to deflect in a direction toward Ithe right hand until brought to a stop by engagement with the annular rib l2. When this occurs the portion of the valve chamber Il Within the rib I2 is cut off from the rest of the chamber II so that the pressure of fluid supplied to pipe I4 and control chamber I8 and acting over the entire area of diaphragm I0 causes the diaphragm to be maintained in engagement with the seat rib I2. Since the brake cylinder-5 is connected by Way of pipe I1 to the valve chamber II outside the seat rib I2 and since this portionof the valve chamber II is connected to theatmosphere in the manner just described it will be apparent thatfluid under pressure in the brake cylinder 5 will be vented to the atmosphere to elfect a release ofthe brakes. It follows that the brake cylinder 5 is vented to the atmosphere by Way of the valve device 1 and that the pipe I4, normally establishing communication between the brake controlling valve device and thereby the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs and the brake cylinder, is blanked, thus providing for a release of the brake without losing the stored fluid pressure in said reservoirs.

When the' pressure of fluid in the brake cylinder 5 is released and the brakes on the vehicle released, the trainrnan relieves the pressure on arm 32 of the pressure release valve device l, and as a result the springs 30 and 26 therein act to return the plunger 2l' and valve 25 to the position in which they are shown.

Now, when the car is cut into a train and the pressure in the brake pipe 4 has been increased to a degree sufficient to cause the brake controlling valve device i to move to its release position, the pipe ill and consequently the control chamber i8 of the cut oiT valve device B is vented by way of the service portio-n of the valve device I. When the pressure of iiuid in this control chamber and acting on the diaphragm Ill is thus reduced to a degree slightly below the opposing pressure of spring 25B, the spring acts to move the diaphragm I out of engagement with the seat rib I2 to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, thus reestablishing communication between the controlling valve device l and the brake cylinder 5.

Description Fz'g. 2

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. l and just described, the trainman must manually maintain the valve 25 of the pressure release valve device 'l unseated until the fluid under pressure is released from the brake cylinder. In order to avoid having to hold the release valve manually open until the brake cylinder pressure is depleted of fluid under pressure, a valve device 6a such as shown in Fig. 2 may be employed. This device differs from the device 6 shown in Fig. 1 in that the diaphragm I has attached thereto a diaphragm follower or stem 44 arranged to actuate a slide valve IH which 1s :u

contained in a control chamber 42 provided for in a new casing section 43 substituted for the casing section shown at the left hand side of the diaphragm l in Fig. 1.

When an application of the brakes is eiected with this arrangement the control valve chambers [i2 and l i are charged with fluid under pressure. supplied from the pipe M and the spring 2Q maintains the diaphragm I0 and thereby the slide valve 4l in the position in which it is shown, so that during normal operation of the brake controlling valve device I iluid under pressure is supplied to and released from the brake cylinder in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

When the valve chamber l l is vented to the atmosphere by operation of the pressure release 45 being connected to the pipe I' leading to 4.

the brake cylinder device 5. With the slide valve li thus positioned, fluid under pressure flows from the brake cylinder 5 to the atmosphere by way of pipe II. pipe and passage 46, cavity 45 in the slide valve 4l and passage 4l. Since the pipe il is connected to the atmosphere through the circuit just traced it will be apparent that connected valve chamber II outside of the seat rib I 2 is also connected to the atmosphere so that the trainman may permit the valve in the pressure release valve 'I 'to seat'without causing the valve device 6a to operate to cut off the ow of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder to the atmosphere. It of course will be understood that the pressure of iiuid in control chamber 42 will maintain the diaphragm Il! and connected slide valve 4I in the brake cylinder venting position until the brake controlling valve'device I is again operated to its release position to vent fluid under pressure from the pipe I4 and consequently from the chamber 42. When chamber 42 is vented, the spring I2 will act to return the diaphragm I0 to the position in which it is shown.

lDescription Figs. 3 and 4 If desired, a combined cut-01T and release valve device such as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be employed in place of the cut-oli valve device shown in Fig. 2 or of the pressure release valve device I shown in Fig. 1 to accomplish the same results.

The combined cut-orf and release valve device 50 may comprise a two piece casing having clamped therebetween a diaphragm 5I. At one side of the diaphragm there is anl annular seat rib 52 arranged for sealing engagement by the diaphragm. Within this seat rib is a chamber 53 to which a passage 54 is connected, the passage 54 in turn being connected to the pipe I4 leading to the brake controlling valve'device I. Encircling the seat rib 50 is an annular valve chamber 55 which is in 'constant open communication with the pipe il leading to the brake cylinder 5. The lower wall of the valve chamber 55 is provided with an annular valve seat 56 surrounding a passage 51 leading to the atmosphere. Mounted in valve chamber 55 is a valve 58 having a stem 59, which valve is yieldably urged into en-- c gagement with the valve seat 5B by means of a spring 50 which is interposed between the casing and a spring seat 6I carried by the valve stem 59.

The valve stem 59 is provided with an extension $2 which engages arocking element 63 4having an operating arm 64 which extends to the exterior of the casing and which, when rocked, acts to unseat the valve 5B against the opposing pressure of the spring 6i).

Disposed in -valve chamber 55 and preferably formed integral with the casing is a lug which is grooved to carry a pin 66. Secured to the pin E6 is a pair of spaced levers 61. One end of each lever is connected to the valve 58 by means of a member 68 which may be secured to or formed integral with the valve. With the valve positioned as shown, i. e., in engagement with its seat, the opposite end of each lever engages the lower side of the diaphragm Il), at opposite sides of the seat rib 52. As hereinbefore mentioned the spring 6D acts to normally maintain the valve 58 seated and also acts through the medium of member 68 and levers 6l to normally maintain the diaphragm 5I out of engagement with the seat rib 52 as shown in the drawing.

At the opposite side of the diaphragm 5l there is a control chamber I0 of small capacity which lis connected to passage 54 by way of a passage When an application of the brakes is effected on a car employing this device, iiuid under pressure supplied to pipe I4 ows therefrom to valve and control chambers 55 and lil, respectively. The flow of fluid under pressure from pipe I4 to control chamber 'l0 is by way of passages 54 and 1I, and to valve chamber 55 is by way of passage 54, -chamber 53, and past the seat rib 52. It `will be understood that so long as the valve y58 is maintained seated, the spring 50 will act through the medium of the valve and connected levers 5l -to maintain the diaphragm in the position shown. Since vthe diaphragm 5l is normally maintained in this position it will be apparent that fluid'under pressure will be supplied to and released from the brake cylinder by way of a circuit including pipe l1, chamber 55, past seat rib 52, chamber 53, passage 54 and pipe I4. y

Now when a car employing this device is cut out of a train and it is desired to release the brakes, without recharging the brake pipe, and without losing the stored fluid under pressure in the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs, the trainman will rock the operating arm 64 to effect upward movement ofthe valve 58 against the opposing pressure of spring 80. As the valve moves upwardly it moves out of engagement with its seat 56 and carries the ends of the levers 6T attached thereto upwardly with it thereby causing the levers and pin v66 to rock in a clockwise direction so that the opposite vends of the levers are moved out of engagement with the diaphragm 5l.

Upon movement of the valve 5B out of engagement with `its seat56 lluid under pressure flows from valve chamber 55 and the connected brake cylinder 5 to the atmosphere at a rapid rate past unseated valve 58 and passage 5l. It will be noted that the flow of llud under pressure from the chamber 'I0 at the opposite side of the diaphragm will be by way of restriction 'l5 in the passage 1l at a slow rate so that the pressure in this chamber will be higher than that in chamber 54. Fluid at this higher pressure in control chamber T causes the diaphragm 5l to deflect downwardly into sealing engagement with the seat rib 52 and also into engagement with the right hand end of the levers 61.

With the diaphragm l in sealing engagement with the seat -rib.52, communication between chambers 53 and 55 is cut off thereby blanking the communication .between the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder. Since the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs are open through the brake controlling valve device to this communication the stored fluid in said reservoirs will be retained. It will be understood that since the brake cylinder control pressure in control chamber 'In acts over the entire area ofthe diaphragm 5l it will maintain the diaphragm in sealing engagement with the seat rib 52 against the opposing brake cylinder control pressure acting in chamber 53.

As hereinbefore mentioned'the diaphragm engages the right hand end of the levers 61 when deflected into engagement with the seat rib 52, so that said levers act at this time to maintain the valve unseated. Since the levers 61 act to maintain the valve 58 unseated it will'be apparent that a trainman may upon opening the valve attend to other duties without waiting for a complete release of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder.

When the car is again cut into a train and the pressure of fluid in pipe' I4 is vented by operation of the control valve device, in the usual manner, the pressure of fluid in connected control chamber 'l0 will also be vented. Upon venting of fluid under pressure from the control chamber lll, the diaphragm 5l moves to its normal position and the spring 60 will act through the medium-ofspring seat 60 and stem 59 to move the valve downwardly into engagement with its seat 56. This downward movement of the valve causes the attached levers 61 to rock in a ccunterclockwise direction about the pin 8G into the position in which they are shown in the drawing so that the device is automatically moved to its normal position.

It will be noted that the usual AB reservoir release valve device is shown in Fig. l of the drawing and is identified by the reference numeral 8D. This device may be operated to deplete the brake cylinder, auxiliary reservoir and emergency reservoir of fluid under pressure when `this is desired. The only time that this is desirable is when the reservoirs or some connection in open communication therewith is to be removed or replaced. Normally the trainman will make use of the valve device 1 to effect the release of the brakes and thereby maintain the reservoirs partially charged. In some instances the valve device may be rendered inoperative or may be removed. If it is removed the passages leading thereto from the auxiliary reservoir and emergency reservoir may be closed by means of plugs.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. 1n a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a lluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve subject to the opposing pressures of fluid in a control chamber and a valve chamber and normally establishing communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder by way of the valve chamber and operative upon a reduction in the pressure of uid in the valve chamber for cutting off the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, a passage through which fluid under pressure may be vented from the valve chamber and the brake cylinder to effect a reduction in the pressure of fluid in the valve chamber and the brake cylinder, and means having a normal position for closing said passage and operative to another position for opening said passage.

2. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve chamber, a control chamber, a valve subject to the opposing pressures of fluid in said chambers, said valve having a normal position for establishing communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder by way of said valve chamber and operative to another position upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber for cutting off the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, and means operative to effect a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber and brake cylinder.

3. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equip ment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve chamber, a control chamber, an always open communication between said chambers, a valve subject on one face to the pressure of fluid ln said valve chamber and on its opposite face cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, and

means for creating said pressure differential, said means including Valve means operative to reduce the pressure of iluid in said valve chamber and to at the same time eiect a release of fluid under pressure from said brake cylinder'.

4. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection I" the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve chamber, a control chamber, an always open communication between said chambers, a valve subject on one face to the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber and on its opposite face to the pressure of fluid in said control chamber, said valve having a normal position for establishing communication between the brake cylinder' connection and the brake cylinder and operative to "another position in response to a pressure diierential acting on said valve for cutting off the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, and means for creating said pressure differential, said means including valve means operative to reduce the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber and to at the same time eiTect a release of iluid under pressure from said brake cylinder, and means for restricting the now of iluid under pressure through said always o-pen communication.

5. In brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder cgnnection or the brake controlling valve device and th'e brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve chamber, a control chamber, an always open communication between said chambers, a valve subject on one face to the pressure of fluid insaid valve chamber and on its opposite face to the pressure of fluid in said control chamber, said valve having a normal position for establishing communication between the bra-ke cylinder connection and the brake cylinder and operative to another position in response to a pressure diierential acting on said valve for cutting oil" 'the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, a passage through pressure may be vented from the valve chamber and the brake cylinder, valve means for normally closing said passage and operative to open said passage, and means interposed in said always open communication for creating said pressure differential upon operation of said valve means to open said passage.

6. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a. valve chamber, a control chamber, a movable abutment subject to the opposing pressures of fluid in said chambers, said abutment having a normal position for establishing communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder and operative to another positionupon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber for cutting off the comwhich fluid under which llid munication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, a passage through which fluid under pressure may be Vented from the valve chamber and the brake cylinder, a valve having a normal position for closing said passage and another position for opening said passage, yielding means for normally maintaining said valve in said normal position, manually operative means for eiecting movement of said valve to said other position, and means for maintaining said valve in said other position so long as said movable abutment remains in its other position.

7. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism y for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a uid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve chamber, a control chamber, a movable abutment subject to the opposing pressures of fluid in said chambers, said abutment having a normal position for establishing communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder and operative to another position upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber for cutting off the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, a passage through under pressure may be vented from the valve chamber and the brake cylinder, a valve having a normal position for closing said passage and operative to another position for opening said passage, manually operative means operative to eiect operation of said valve to said other position, and means operative by operation of said movable abutment to said other position for maintaining Said valve in its said other position so long as said movable abutment is maintained in said other position.

8. In a, brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brakecylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve seat, a valve having one position in which it engages said valve seat and a normal position in which it is out of engagement with said valve seat, said valve being of larger diameter than said valve seat, a passage surrounded by said valve seat, said passage being connected to the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device, a chamber connected to the brake cylinder and encircling said valve seat, said chamber being open to said passage when said valve is in said normal position, said valve being responsive to a reduction in pressure in said chamber to move from its normal position to its other position to isolate said passage from said chamber, a passage through which fluid under pressure may be vented from said chamber and thereby said brake cylinder, and means normally closing said passage and being manually operative to open said passage.

9. In a release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a Iluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, l a valve seat, a valve normally maintained out of engagement with said valve seat, said valve being of larger diameter than said valve seat, a passage surrounded by said valve seat, said passage being connected to the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device, a chamberencircling said, valve seat and in constant open communication with the brake cylinder, said valve being responsive to a reduction in pressure in said chamber to move into engagement with said valve seat to isolate said passage from said chamber, and means operative to vent fluid under pressure from said chamber and thereby said brake cylinder,

10. In a release valve mechanism for interpo: sition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder cf a iluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve seat, a valve normally maintained out of engagement with said valve seat, ,saidA valve being of larger diameter than said valve seat, a passage surrounded by said valve seat, said passage being connected to the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device, a chamber encircling said valve seat and in constant open communication with valve being responsive to a reduction in pressure in said chamber to move in-to engagement with said valve seat to isolate said passage from said chamber, a communication through which fluid under pressure may be vented from said chamber and thereby said brake cylinder, means having a normal position ior closing said communication and operative to another position for opening said communication, and lever means for maintaining said means in said other position so long as said valve is maintained in engagement with said valve seat.

11. In a release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve cylinder of a iluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve seat, a valve normally maintained out of engagement with said valve seat, said valve being oi larger' diameter than said valve seat, a passage surrounded by said valve seat, said passage being connected to the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device, a chamber encircling saidA valve seat, said chamber being open to said passage when said valve is in said normal position and isolated from said passage when said valve is in said other position, said valve being responsive to a reduction in pressure in said valve chamber to move from its normal position to its other position, means establishing a passage through which fluid under pressure is vented from the brake cylinder upon operation of said valve to said other position, and means manually operative to eiiect a reduction in pressure in said chamber.

l2. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve seat, a valve having one position in which it engages said valve seat and a normal position in which it is out of engagement with said valve seat, said valve being of larger diameter than said valve seat, a passage surrounded by said valve seat', said passage being connected to the brake cylinder connection of the brake controlling valve device, a valve chamber, a control chamber, a valve subject to the opposing pressures of uid in said chambers, said valve having a normal position for establishing communicathe brake cylinder, said a device and the brake lill tion between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder by way of said valve chamber and operative to another position upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber for cutting off the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, and means conditioned upon operation of said valve to said other position for venting fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder and means manually operative to effect a reduction in pressure of iiuid in said chamber.

13. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection oi the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a fluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve chamber, a control chamber, a movable abutment subject to the opposing pressures of fluid in said chambers, said abutment having a normal position for establishing communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder and operative to another position upon a reduction in the pressure of fluid in said valve chamber for cutting of! the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, a passage through which fluid under pressure may be vented from the valve chamber and the brake cylinder, a valve having a normal position for closing said passage and another position for opening said passage, manually operative means for actuating said valve from said normal position to said other position, means for maintaining said valve in said other position so long as said movable abutment remains in its other position, and means for actuating said valve from said other position to said normal position upon operation of said movable abutment from said other position to said normal position,

14. In a brake cylinder release valve mechanism for interposition between the brake cylinder connection or the brake controlling valve device and the brake cylinder of a iluid pressure brake equipment, said mechanism comprising in combination, a valve chamber, a control chamber, an always open communication between said chambers, a valve subject on one face to the pressure of fluid in said valve chambers, said valve having a normal position for establishing communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylindei and operative to another position upon effecting a dierential of pressure in said chambers for cutting off the communication between the brake cylinder connection and the brake cylinder, a passage through which iluid under pressure may be released from said valve chamber, means disposed in said always open communication for restricting the iiovv of fluid from said control chamber upon release of iiuid under pressure from said valve chamber to thereby create a differential of pressures in said chambers, a valve having an open position for opening said passage and a closed position for closing said passage, and means automatically operative` to shift said movable abutment from said other position to said normal position upon effecting a release of fluid under pressure from said control chamber following subsequent operation of said valve from said open to said closed position.

RALPH 'I'. WHITNEY. 

